Shamika Hamilton – Digital Banking Analyst

I believe in the power of redemption. People have to be able to tell their stories. People judge others and you don't really know what their stories are. See, I love butterflies and I think about the butterfly effect - how you can take a little bit of effort to make a big impact. So just because you start off one way doesn't mean that's how you have to finish. And with butterflies, we look and think, 'Oooh, it's a beautiful creature.’

But you don't always see the three stages before it became that butterfly. And especially with the caterpillar and cocoon, you're like, 'No! Eww! Not a caterpillar!' But a butterfly, people want to catch it and hold it in their hand and they admire the butterfly. You forget the process that it took for the butterfly to become who it is. And most of the work is done when the butterfly is in that pupa stage. So with people, I get more amazed by their story than the after-effects. I like to hear the story and the process they took to get to where they are - I am totally in love with that. And I have had my moments!

People look at me and may think something, but you don't know the story behind me, baby. You don’t know the work I put in! There's this quote by Maya Angelou: 'we delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the change it has to go through to achieve that beauty.' That's just it. It's a complete metamorphosis. You have to appreciate the process and don't neglect your story.